No Shortage of Teaching Moments Here…

Hey everyone! So, if you’re a regular reader, you know I post outfits even when they don’t look so great, so we can all analyze the outfit and learn from it. Whether intentional or not, some outfits that seem good in my head (and even in the mirror!) end up being bleh. See this outfit.

Not crazy about this outfit at all! - www.whenthegirlsrule.com

I almost didn’t show these photos. This jacket you’ve seen before here and has worked in several outfits. It’s a cute, black faux leather, with some nice design details that hangs well open and actually zips, so I wanted to feature it zipped, expecting another successful outfit.

Not crazy about this outfit at all! - www.whenthegirlsrule.comJacket available here and plus size (on sale!) available here.

I actually went out looking for a skirt to go with this jacket. I envisioned a print in black and white, on the long side, that would be a smart addition to the outfit. Somehow, something went wrong with this combination.

Not crazy about this outfit at all! - www.whenthegirlsrule.com

Honestly, I can’t put my finger on it. Is the skirt too light of a color? Or is the pattern not bold enough to stand up to the deep black jacket? Is the skirt too long? Does the side slit make the skirt wider than it actually is? Or is the fabric too lightweight (thanks to the wind for showing that)? Maybe the skirt is just too big for me? Or is this all in my head and really it looks fine?

Not crazy about this outfit at all! - www.whenthegirlsrule.com

I’d love to hear your thoughts because this was an unintentional teaching moment but I’m not really sure what it’s teaching!

Linking up with the lovely ladies at Shelbee on the Edgeย and A Pocket Full of Polka Dots!

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38 Comments

  1. As viewed in my email inbox, this post showed just the top half of your photo and I thought hey, I like that outfit, what’s the problem? Then, I scrolled down and saw the rest. IMO, the skirt is too long — cut it off at the top of the slit and you’re good to go! I think I would also prefer your black/white purse, which would contribute to your goal of pattern-matching.

  2. Hey Julia…I’m not sure you remember, but my mom’s & I style a maxi for the winter months a couple of weeks ago.
    I remember not liking the photos after we took them, but some readers said they like them (they could have been lying or I could have been too critical?)
    That being said I can see no fault with your outfit!! Sure, maybe the purse could have been a different color, but I like an unexpected pop of color at times!!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  3. Hmmmm. I think maybe it’s the horizontal lines…..just think of how killer this skirt would be if they did the pattern vertical! If it’s not returnable…I think I’d tailor it shorter.

  4. I think you look great. I agree that the handbag is off. Sometimes things don’t look quite right because they are not quite ones style? Happens to me…I know I have the right “ingredients ” and fit, yet it feels off…

  5. In my opinion 1. different bag 2. the slit is causing it to look more voluminous on the bottom. If you want to keep it long, can you have it tapered at the bottom? Or, make it to the “just above knee length” and wear w/ opaque tights. Sometimes, all that volume at the bottom just doesn’t help us “apples”…But, sometimes a girl just want and ankle grazing skirt and let it me…Your smile is contagious!

  6. Another thought…If I’m questioning an outfit, I usually take a photo and send to my 2 daughters, they don’t hold back! OR, I squint at it, and first check for proportion…If you look at all views of the skirt, just imagine it tapered in at the bottom, about 4 inches overall…you can baste it with a needle and thread, see if that helps and then take to your tailor for a quick fix. I sew and often this is what’s the “quick fix” for many a dress/skirt…the garment needs the volume for the waist/hips, but not at the hem…

  7. Hi Julia, I love to see you learning. Lately I’ve been photographing my outfits to try to figure out whats good and whats not. Anyway, its just a guess, but don’t think narrowing the skirt will help. Maybe even the opposite – a special ruffle or something at the bottom might be good. But mostly I think a skirt with more black in it. This looks like a gray skirt with black stripes, but I think one that looks like a black skirt with gray stripes so the black continues would make the outfit feel longer and leaner rather than cut in half. Additionally, maybe pull the scarf down just a tad so we can see and appreciate it more. It kind of looks like its choking your head. LOL. Please don’t take offense. And I may not be right. I’d love to see a blog where you try the jacket with lots of the recommended changes so we can see what looks good and what doesn’t. And I so admire you for putting this out there!! Thank you.

    1. This is a reply to Mineral — awesome idea for a blog post! I assume the skirt has an elastic waist — I’d love to see photos of the skirt at knee-length, calf-length, and current length (waistband could be hidden under a top or jacket while it’s temporarily up by Julia’s armpit, LOL). Three looks, one skirt, we all decide what’s the best length.

  8. Hi Julia,

    I agree with Paula, I believe it’s mainly the skirt with those horizontals, top part looks great. Vertical stripes and maybe a darker skirt (more black dominant) or a solid other darker color forming a sort of column of color with your black jacket would probably look nicer, like this it looks a bit like top and bottom were “cut in half”

      1. Sorry for the short post! I’ve been enjoying your blog for a while and really appreciate your thoughts! I’m in the Midwest too so I love reading about your regional references. I spend lots of time in beautiful Michigan.

  9. I see the problem is that you are the same width from shoulders to ankle. I shorter skirt would make all the difference. That said, if I wasn’t asked to critique I would have said it looks fine. It’s a little off but not by much.

  10. I think it looks really quite nice. The only thing I would say is that you need something to break up the one long rectangle shape created by the coat and the skirt. If the jacket had a peplum or if you were somehow able to add the illusion of a waist I think the skirt as is is a keeper. Love this blog and believe whole heartedly in it’s purpose and gift.

  11. You are a brave woman, Julia! There’s a solid mass of black on top. The scarf is a pretty color, but is wound around your neck, contributing to the “solid mass of color” on top. The horizontal lines of the skirt add width. And combined, they make your body look like one large column and camaflague your gorgeous curves. The outfit needs movement, the illusion of curves. Shortening the skirt might make a difference, might not. Opening the jacket will help with illusion. Adding a heel could help, as could a bag that matches the scarf or vice versa. the pieces are great, but they’re not great together. Keep up the amazing blogging job!

  12. I like the jacket and skirt. I think a nice long necklace would have lengthened your top half rather than the scarf.

  13. OK, here’s my suggestions: How about a small print/plaid A-line or pleated skirt…or wide leg/palazzo pants in a vertical stripe? I think more width at bottom would balance the width of your shoulders (not narrower at bottom)! A burgundy or black bag would also add more balance to the outfit. Another idea ~ all black (pants or skirt)with a colorful scarf and bag to bring a pop of color from the scarf. Wow,so many suggestions/ideas from your readers!! Makes your head spin, right? So enjoy
    these posts and keep up the good work, Julia :))

    1. Thank you so much Kay! Yes, I have received many excellent suggestions and I think they all could work in different combinations to improve this outfit. I really like the idea about the wide-legged pants. That way I wouldn’t look like such a column as mentioned here.

  14. I agree with Robin. A long pendant might be weird on the outside of your jacket, but I think that would be better than a scarf. I think the skirt is pretty awesome long- different than expected. What is your boots were a bright color!

  15. I know I’m late to the party, I’m snowed-in away from home and living in an alternate universe ๐Ÿ™‚ but here are my two cents.

    1) I feel the top half of your body is carrying more than it’s share of visual weight – your “apple top” combined with the dark jacket is making a very strong upper half…and then the bottom 2/3 can’t balance it out – the lighter color and long columnar shape, I don’t feel it’s working. If you take your hand (or a piece of paper) and cover up the widest part (starting at what looks like just above your knee), it’s a much more pleasing picture. You could wear black fleece-lined tights or leggings w a black bootie and I feel that would balance the look out (shortening the skirt).

    2) I forgot what my second point was going to be! My brain is addled.

  16. I love your photos, questions, and the responses! Great teaching/learning technique.

    I agree with the others that it would be interesting to see a few pictures showing the results of trying to implement certain suggestions.

    I actually had to go to somewhere the other day and took pictures of the outfits I was considering- with a variety of accessories to try and figure out what worked best.

    I’d be willing to send pics to get feedback if you ever want to do reader submissions. ๐Ÿ˜‰

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